Maximum Adjusted Score

Rule 3 – Rules of Handicapping

A score for handicap purposes should not be overly influenced by one or two bad hole scores that are not reflective of a player’s demonstrated ability.

A Maximum Adjusted Score is applied to a player’s gross score on a hole-by-hole basis when the gross score exceeds the maximum assigned value. The calculation is done automatically in the Score Centre and is used for handicap purposes only. The maximum values are determined as follows:

Before your Handicap Index is issued:

The maximum score for any hole is your gross score (all the stokes you take from tee to cup) or the adjusted score of Par + 5. Whichever is lowest.

After your Handicap Index is issued:

The maximum score for any hole is your gross score (all the strokes you take from tee to cup) or the adjusted score of Net Double Bogey. Whichever is lowest.

What is NET DOUBLE BOGEY?

Net Double Bogey is calculated as follows:

Net Double Bogey = Par + 2 + Strokes Received

What are “Strokes Received”?
How do you know if you get them and on which holes? 

The Stroke Index Allocation values, as listed on the scorecard, are used with your course handicap to determine strokes received and on which holes.

Scorecard

Let’s look at two examples: using the PGCC scorecard where hole #6 is a par 5 and has a Stroke Index Allocation of 1 for men and 13 for women.

Example #1: A man with a course handicap of 10 receives a stroke on all holes with Stroke Index Allocations 1 through 10 using the Men’s SIA values.  Hole #6 is a stroke hole for him as it has an SIA value of 1.  His gross score on that hole is 9. His maximum adjusted score of Net Double Bogey is:  Par (5) + Double Bogey (2) + Stroke Allocation (1) = 8.

Example #2: A woman with a course handicap of 10 receives a stroke on all holes with Stroke Index Allocations 1 through 10 using the Women’s SIA values. Hole #6 is not a stroke hole for her as it has an SIA value of 13. She also has a gross score of 9 on that hole. Her maximum adjusted score of Net Double Bogey is: Par (5) + Double Bogey (2) + Stroke Allocation (0) = 7.

Let’s look at another example where the player has a course handicap above 18:

Example #3: A woman with a course handicap of 32 receives a stroke on all 18 holes, plus an additional stroke on the holes with SIA values 1 though 14, using the Women’s SIA values. (32-18=14) Simply put, she receives 2 strokes on the holes with SIA values of 1-14 and 1 stroke on all the other holes. 

Hole #1 has an SIA value of 7 and is a double stroke hole for her. Her gross score on Hole #1 is 9. Her maximum adjusted score of Net Double Bogey is: Par (4) + Double Bogey (2) + Stroke Allocation (2) = 8. 

In all three examples, the players’ gross scores are still 9. They would all post 9 for the hole played. The Score Centre would automatically calculate their Maximum Adjusted Scores (8, 7 & 8 respectively) and apply these values to their adjusted scores. The adjusted scores are only used for the purpose of updating their handicaps.

The Good News: The Score Centre automatically calculates your Maximum Adjusted Score from your Gross Score on each hole as required when you use the Hole-By-Hole method. 

When will you need to do these calculations manually?

  • If you post using the “Adjusted Gross Score” method, some hole scores may need manual adjusting to Net Double Bogey before final total is entered.
  • When you “pick-up” prior to finishing a hole. You may wish to pick up before completing a hole once you have reached your Maximum Adjusted Score. Ensure you calculate the correct maximum score value for that hole before you pick up. NOTE: this may be done for the sake of pace of play only and only for casual rounds – never if you are playing in any form of Gross or Net competition.

Remember! Adjustments for Net values cannot be applied to Maximum Adjusted Scores. Net Score adjustments are only applied to full unadjusted Gross scores.